I personally know quite a few students as I often fix their PC's & the sad fact of life is that most of then simply cannot afford the high cost of software, we have a situation here in the UK where all grants & student loans given have to be repaid, this amounts to a considerable figure at the end of a university course. I don't know any student with a PC that has completely legal software on it. I refuse to install say windows without a genuine CD & key etc, but it seems to me that leasing such software is a far better option with an option to purchase at a reduced figure later on (maybe deducting such monies as has already been paid via the lease minus admin costs).

Only once software is affordable will piracy even slow down, one problem that I can see with the likes of autocad is that it costs the same if you are a casual user as a commercial user, how is this fair? commercial applications obviously can generate a sizeable income that negates the software costs, but for the average home user this is a very large investment, so much so that even I may be tempted to "borrow" such applications for a "one off" use.

Ryan has had his punishment IMHO, going up to a youngster & shouting about $150,000 fines is OT & would if it went to court either be thrown out or destroy his life paying off such a fine, put yourself in Ryans shoes, were you a perfect child? how would you feel at ppl he regarded as friends attacking him to such a degree, have some reason & compassion. He made a mistake as I said earlier "in the foolishness of youth" may all your PC's suffer a power surge as I'm so disappointed in you all for turning this into a personal vedetta.

Shame on you all.